General Assembly
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2003 and thereafter. In that connection, new types of disease have appeared, including cancer and other illnesses that had not previously represented a main cause of death in Iraq, and there has been an increase in the number of sufferers of these diseases over time.

7.

Obviously, the environment is a key factor in individual and collective well-

being. A new awareness of environmental concerns is therefore required, based on shared responsibility. This in turn must bring about a change of attitude among Governments, institutions directly involved in the topic, social and humanitarian support bodies and, lastly, the population in general, under the principle of world environmental solidarity. On the basis of a global concept of the human being, health should be understood as a process of achieving a balance or harmony between the various dimensions of the human person, including between that person

and his or her environment.

8.

It is appropriate to analyse the reasons for

deformities,

congenital

abnormalities

or

congenital

the existence of congenital diseases — in other words,

structural or functional diseases that are present at birth. The development of the

It is absolutely essential for the United Nations and members of the North

Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to use their good offices to impose a moratorium on the use of depleted uranium weapons and to redouble their efforts to

promote a worldwide ban on their use as and procurement of this type of weaponry.

well

as

systematically

to

halt

production

10.

Whereas, despite the fact that scientific research has so far been unable to find

conclusive evidence of harm, often deadly effects on both

there are numerous testimonies as to the harmful and military personnel and civilians, international health

institutions should aftermath of the use

place greater emphasis on determining of weapons containing depleted uranium.

the

consequences

or

11.

There is a need to give serious thought, at the regional and international levels,

to the future utility of unguided munitions, as well as cluster bombs, mines other weapons of indiscriminate effect, such as depleted uranium weapons.

and

12.

States Members

should

take

the

lead

of in

the United Nations, humanitarian working — through the United

institutions

and others

Nations or

through a

“coalition of the willing” — towards an international treaty development, production, stockpiling, transfer, testing and

establishing a ban on the use of uranium weapons

as well as the destruction or recycling of existing stocks, scientific evidence of harm caused by such weapons.

should

there

be

conclusive

13.

The armed forces of Bolivia currently have no depleted uranium weapons.

14. that

On the basis of technical data available on the Internet, it may be determined depleted uranium munitions generally vary between 25 mm and 30 mm calibre

or larger. Our armed forces have not become involved with this type of weapon.

15. Bolivia’s position, from the military point of view and as a peace-loving country, is demonstrated by the fact that it is a party to many multilateral and regional agreements whose purposes are exclusively peaceful.